By Brice Wallace
A new commission charged with developing, directing and coordinating a statewide economic development strategy has begun its work.
The Unified Economic Opportunity Commission, created by HB348, passed during the 2021 legislative session, has been appointed and was scheduled to have its first meeting last week, after The Enterprise’s press deadlines.
Gov. Spencer Cox emphasized that the commission will be “solutions-oriented.”
“I’m excited to work with state elected leaders, cabinet members, local officials and others as we collaborate and create new pathways to economic success,” Cox said.
The commission will convene stakeholders to develop solutions to the most critical topics facing Utah’s economy. It will also review and create new economic strategies and programs to deal with timely topics. Other purposes of the commission include aligning economic efforts and incentive programs, helping support and align education and industry partnerships to strengthen the state’s workforce, and establishing subcommittees that serve as conveners to facilitate policy development.
“We’re thrilled to announce the creation of the new Unified Economic Opportunity Commission,” said Dan Hemmert, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, or GO Utah. That is the new name for the agency formerly known as the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, or GOED.
“This commission will help with the state’s growth, education and workforce development, our state’s incentive program, as well as other key economic issues in our state. We want to thank each member for their time and effort that will be put into serving on this commission.”
Membership of the commission is spelled out in HB348. The members are:
• Cox, who will serve as commission chair.
• Hemmert, who will serve as vice chair.
• Senate President Stuart Adams.
• House of Representatives Speaker Brad Wilson.
• Craig Buttars, commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
• Brian Steed, executive director, Utah Department of Natural Resources.
• Margaret Busse, executive director, Utah Department of Commerce.
• Sophia Dicaro, executive director, Utah Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget.
• Casey Cameron, executive director, Utah Department of Workforce Services.
• Syd Dickson, Utah state superintendent of public instruction, Utah State Board of Education.
• Dave Woolstenhulme, com-missioner of higher education, Utah System of Higher Education.
• Dawn Ramsey, South Jordan mayor.
• Carlos Braceras, executive director, Utah Department of Transportation.
• Miles Hansen, president and CEO, World Trade Center Utah.
• Theresa Foxley, president and CEO, Economic Development Corporation of Utah.
• Stephen Lisonbee, senior advisor to the governor for rural affairs.
• Gage Froerer, Weber County commissioner.
• Claudia O’Grady, vice president of multifamily finance, Utah Housing Corp.
“I believe the reason Utah has a strong economy is that we’re never satisfied with our current success; instead we continue to look for ways to improve,” Adams said. “The work of this commission will help take our strong economy to even greater heights as we build up the workforce, advance education and promote smart growth.”
“This spring, the Legislature kick-started a new chapter in Utah’s economic prosperity playbook,” Wilson said. “It’s clear that with our incredibly diverse economy and unparalleled workforce, Utah is an attractive place to be, and our economic development focus needs to shift from importing jobs to broadening success at home. I’m excited to serve on the commission and engage in the hard work of turning our playbook into reality.”
